Dynamic Virtual Background for Videoconference Object Demonstration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional videoconferencing systems blur everything except the participant's head and torso, making it impossible to demonstrate objects such as items held in hand, which can be embarrassing or problematic, especially when trying to show professional environments or hide untidy backgrounds.

Innovation Solution

A demonstration operation monitoring engine detects the initiation of a demonstration operation by monitoring camera sensors or audio signals, allowing the virtual background to be applied in a way that deblurs the demonstration object, keeping the background obscured, enabling participants to show objects naturally during videoconferences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a virtual background is applied to blur out all objects other than the participant's face and torso, then privacy protection is improved, but the ability to demonstrate objects is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprivacy protectionVSAvoiddemonstration capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the virtual background application based on detected demonstration operations. When a demonstration operation is detected, the system temporarily modifies the background processing to allow the demonstrated object to be visible while maintaining privacy protection for non-demonstrated portions. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the system flexible enough to switch between privacy mode and demonstration mode as needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies different processing qualities to different regions of the video feed. The virtual background is selectively applied to blur only the background regions while leaving the demonstrated object and participant's face/torso clear. This local differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of privacy protection (blurred background) and demonstration capability (clear object).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a virtual background is applied to replace the physical background, then professionalism is improved, but the ability to show objects naturally is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveprofessionalismVSAvoidnatural object display

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically responds to detected demonstration operations by temporarily adjusting the virtual background behavior. When a demonstration operation is detected, the system allows the demonstrated object to appear naturally against the virtual background, making object display as intuitive as in physical environments. This dynamic adjustment maintains professionalism during normal operation while enabling natural object display during demonstrations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the virtual background as an intermediary that can be selectively applied or removed from specific regions. During demonstration operations, the intermediary (virtual background) is configured to allow the demonstrated object to be visible, creating a seamless experience that maintains professionalism while enabling natural object display without requiring participants to physically move or adjust their environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If all objects other than the torso or face are blurred, then privacy protection is improved, but user engagement is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprivacy protectionVSAvoiduser engagement

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts background processing based on detected demonstration operations. During normal operation, the virtual background maintains strong privacy protection by blurring all non-essential regions. When a demonstration operation is detected, the system dynamically modifies this behavior to allow the demonstrated object to be visible, thereby maintaining privacy while enhancing user engagement when demonstrations occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies different levels of background processing to different regions. The virtual background selectively blurs background regions while allowing demonstrated objects to remain visible with higher quality. This local quality differentiation maintains privacy protection for sensitive areas while enabling engaging demonstrations of objects, thus resolving the contradiction between privacy and engagement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11799926B2Methods, systems, and devices for presenting demonstration objects in a videoconference

Publication Date: 2023.10.24 MOTOROLA MOBILITY LLC

AI summary

A conferencing system terminal device includes an image capture device capturing images of a subject during a videoconference occurring across a network and a communication device transmitting the images to at least one remote electronic device engaged in the videoconference. One or more processors apply a virtual background or virtual background indicia in the images behind depictions of the subject. In response to one or more sensors detecting initiation of a demonstration operation by the subject, the one or more processors cause the virtual background or virtual background indicia to appear behind depictions of a demonstration object of the demonstration operation such that the demonstration object is visible against the virtual background indicia or virtual background.